Mindfulness and Tango: Passion and Possibilities
My husband and I went to see a production of "Forever Tango!"
presented at the Angela Peralta Theater just two blocks from our
home here in Mazatlan.
After all, since we're moving to Argentina in July, we need to
learn more about tango, which was born in Buenos Aires back in
the late 1800s.
It was a great show--passionate dancing, stirring music,
spectacular costumes. But I wanted to know more about how this
dance form started, so I did a little research on the history of
tango.
Despite the fact that we tend to consider tango to be a dance
performed in high society while wearing gorgeous dresses, the
roots of this dance are decidedly low class.
In the 1880s, Buenos Aires attracted immigrants from around the
world--Germans, Italians, Africans--as well as those moving to
the burgeoning city from the pampas in the Argentine
countryside. These new arrivals brought their cultures with
them, and as the lonely working men and women longed for
companionship as well as a bit of home, a new form of music,
dance and culture evolved.
Though many still argue the exact origin of the word "tango" it
is generally considered to be derived from a word describing the
drumming music of the African immigrants. The Germans added the
accordion, and a new craze in European dancing--a scandalous new
position in which the man actually rested his arm on the back of
his woman partner!--trickled into the gatherings of those who
were alone and seeking a way to release their despair and
express their passion.
The only women in Buenos Aires willing to dance in this
provocative style at that time were the prostitutes, so tango
was developed by immigrants looking for love in the houses of
ill repute. Later, men actually practiced dancing the tango with
other men so they could become skilled enough to impress the
wealthy European ladies who made visits to the exciting,
prosperous country of Argentina after the turn of the century.
In fact, Argentina was so wealthy at that time that those in
Paris and London would refer to someone with considerable means
as being "rich as an Argentinean." Tango became a dazzling form
of entertainment among the rich and famous of Europe, and
eventually this higher status was conferred upon the smoldering
dance in its native Buenos Aires.
Of course, there are plenty of examples of dances that were once
considered too risque for the general public--the Charleston,
the twist, hip-hop--but few have risen from the lowest class to
the highest in such spectacular form.
"What does this have to do with mindfulness?" you are asking.
Well, everything.
You see, tango was embraced--eventually-- once people were able
to view it in a new way. The same bawdy dance carried out in
dark brothels in Buenos Aires was considered sophisticated and
daringly modern once it was dressed up and presented at Paris
cocktail parties.
Mindfulness helps us see the world in a nonjudgmental way. It
inspires creativity as well--we can see possibilities that
wouldn't be so obvious if we were looking through that veil of
judgment.
What if you DIDN'T consider this particular thought negative?
What if you DIDN'T see that particular practice as scandalous?
What if you saw the world--and yourself-- as simply full of
possibilities?
Learning to watch our responses is a lot like dancing the
tango--we need to be fully present. We need to be brave enough
to look really, really closely.
If we don't focus, we're likely to get kicked in a rather
personal place. If we are tuned in, we will flow effortlessly
with little resistance and tremendous grace.
Mindfulness helps us move through life with awareness,
creativity, and a certain flair that says "I'm paying attention."
Glittering dresses are optional.